Cody Wallace, an incarcerated inmate on death row at an unnamed prison, has a collection of almost 2,000 paperbacks in his prison cell, stored on bookshelves that Cody sued to have installed. The cell is eight feet by ten feet, with a single concrete bed. Cody’s books, which were gifts, are one of the only sources of joy in his life. During his 14 years on death row, Cody has tried to make life easier for his fellow inmates: After four successful lawsuits, which Cody organized without a lawyer, they secured the rights to books, television, better food, and more exercise time. Now, however, Cody’s time as an amateur lawyer has come to an end: His final appeal has been denied, and he has three hours left to live.

Cody is visited by Marvin, the guard responsible for death row, and his lawyer, Jack Garber. Jack warns Cody that the situation is dire, and that a last minute reprieve from the governor is unlikely. It is revealed that Cody was only 15 when he was convicted of the murder of Dorothy and Earl Baker after a botched break-in; his brother, Brian, died at the scene.